Support for diaphragm transformers



Feb. 9, 1932. J. D. sEABl-:RT 1,844,804

SUPPORT FOR DIAPHRAGM TRANSFORMERS Filed June 20, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet l Feb. 9, 1932. 1. D. sEAB-ERT 1,844,804

SUPPORT FOR DIAPHRAGM TRANSFORMERS Patented Feb. 9, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOHN D. SEABERT, OF DAYTON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL MOTORS RADIO CORPORA- TION, OF DAYTON, OHIO, A COBZOBATION OF CHIO SUPPORT FOR DIAPHRAGM TRANSFORMERS Application flled .Tune 20,

This invention relates to radio apparatus, and particularly to acoustical devices used in connection therewith.

One of the objects of the invention is to .sim-

5 plify the construction of radio loud speakers, or acoustical devices, and this is accomplished by providing an integral member for supporting the diaphragm, the driving mechanism and appertinent elements.

A A further object of the invention is to provide an acoustical apparatus of compact form. which is accomplished by mounting the contributing elements of the driving mechanism in close relation to one another.

A further object of the invention is to conserve space in an acoustical device by mounting the elements thereof in closely coupled relation.

Further objects and advantages of the 1 present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings -wherein a preferred embodiment of one form of the present invention is clearly shown. i

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a sectional view in part, showing the formation of certain parts contributin to the instant invention, accompanied witi a phantom view illustrating the association of 3 the parts mounted thereon.

Fig. 2 is a plan view, illustrating steps in the formation of a blank of material, from which parts contributing to the instant in.- vention are formed.

Fig. 3 is aplan view of a modification of the'invention. Y y

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the modified form, substantially as indicated by the arrow 4 in Fig. 3.

5 is an elevational view, substantially as indicated by the arrow 5 in Fig. 3.

In radio apparatus where there is a considerable amount of mechanism to be mounted within a small and specified space, much diffi- Culty is had with the prior art devices in confining them to the spaces allotted, so that there would be suiiicient space left for servicing of the same, or for making connections or alterations, once the mechanism had been 50 completely assembled. This problem has 1981. Serial No. 545,681,

been solved, by the construct-ion of a supporting member so that the various parts of the mechanism may be assembled in the closest possible relation.

kWith particular reference to the drawings there is represented in Fig. 2, a formed blank of material 20 from which the diaphragm and driving mechanism supporting member is fashioned. Here the dot-and-dash lines represent the form of the stamping by which the contributing parts of the support is fashioned, while the continuous lines are indica tive of the support after formed for use. In practice this blank 20 is struck from a sheet of material so as to include the lines of severance 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25, as well as the mounting apertures 4216, 27 and 28, and lead-ways 29 and 29a. `This leaves the blank of the configuration disclosed in Fig. 2., the central portion of which is marked ofi by dot-and-dash lines, and in which there are the apertures 3() and 31 alternately positioned between the radially extending arms 32 and 33 provided by the blanking alongthe said lines.` It will be noted from the illustration that the central portion of the blank or at least the greater portion thereof, is included with or left attached to the free end of the arm 33, thus making this one arm longer than the arms 32 which are substantially of equal length. The arm 33 is also fashioned to include the lateral webs 34 for a purpose that will presently appear.

The blank existing in this form, isnext fashioned by extrusion or other method, to form the frusto-conical like sup orting member illustrated in solid lines of igs. 1 and 2, and is accomplished by bending the blank, or dishing it to form the obliquely extending arms there illustrated. To accomplish this, the rim portion 35 is bent along the line as 36 so that the arms 32 and 33 eXteud obliquely upwardly and inwardly, and thence have their free ends bent outwardly as along the dotted. lines 37 and 38 so that attaching lpor- 1LT tions 39 and 40 lie substantially parallel with the axis of the conical portion of the member. It will be noted that the bend along the line 38 of the arm 33 is substantially at right angles and that this arm is additionally bent vas along the line 41 in substantial reverse direction to that of 38, so that in eiiect there is provided a ledge or table 45 that includes the web portions 34, and is substantially parallel with the base of the conical member.

The supporting member vthus fashioned makes provision for the supporting of a diaphragm at its edge or hinge 51, by a clamping ring 52V securing it to the rim 35 of the supporting member in any desired means, as through the agency of screws or bolts through Vthe apertures 28. Thejdiaphragm 50 is of Vto which they are secured 'as'by spot welding or other desired means, and at the same time centering themotor and diaphragm with respect to the supporting edge 35;V The ledge 45 makes provision for mounting a transformer 60, or other separable part of the driving mechanism, and affords an adequate means of securing the parts together in a compact form so that the transformer or like device will be retained substantially within the conical contour of the acoustical device, as is readily seen from the illustration. The transformer is secured to the ledge 45 in any preferred manner as by means of the screws V61 driven into the apertures 27.0f the webs 34. Its leads and conductors may be passed through the aperture 29, from where connections are made to the parts54 and 55, and with an appropriate multiconductor cable by way of the aperture 29a. Y

. With respect to the form illustrated in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, substantially the same principles of construction are observed, though the result is accomplished in a little different manner. The blank 20,' asin the preceding form, in a similar manner thereto, is provided with attaching apertures 26, and other apertures as 28 that make for the attachmentV of the diaphragm 50 to the flange 35 of the `supporting member. In forming this member the central portion of the blank is struck outwardly in substantial conical form, to provide the motor supporting legs 65 and 66, each of which are provided with a lateral web 67 and 68 respectively. These elements of the legs 65 and 66 are fashioned from the metal of the blank that would be struck from the center thereof in the fashioning of the said legs, and in each instance the free end of said leg is bent angularly to provide a lug 69 so asl to lie in'a plane substantially Yparallel with the base of the frame member, or of the cone which it supports.

As in the preceding form, the motor is mounted upon the ends of the legs 65 and 66, which in the present instance is accomplished as is illustrated particularly in Figs. 3 and 5. The motor ZO in this instance comprises a substantially fiat pole piece 71 that may be secured to the legs in any preferred manner, and preferably/aids in supporting aV magnet frame 72 which may be accomplished by spot welding or other usual procedure. As is the usual practice in this and other forms of such magnet motors, the field winding is supported in any desired manner, and maintained in cooperable relation with the speaking coil. The lateral extensions 67 and 68'of the motor supporting legs are fully illustratedin Figs. 3 and 5, and make they desired proA vision forthe closely juxtaposed supportof the transformer 60, as in the'form earlier described. rlhe attaching screws or devices 61 may also support ak terminal strip 75 and from which appropriate leads maybe made with the several coils of the motor, the transformer, and with the set and power source. In the present instance a portion of the supporting frame 2O is bent outwardly into a lug 76 carrying a grommet 77 that makes for the support and security of a multi-conclue# tor cable. Here, as in theL preceding device the operating motor and itstransformer are maintained substantially within the conical configuration ofthe instrumentality, so that when the unit is mounted within a receiver of small dimension, there will be little danger of disturbing'the contributing parts and yet the greatest of'available spacewill be re'- served for manipulation and adjustmentrof associated parts of the structure. Y The con-- nection between the distributing elements 'of the acoustic device are shortened'to ammi- -Inum, well. protected within the frame structure of the device, and thus not subject to accidental displacement that makes Vfor rupture l" of the connections and the consequential failure of the unit in its operation.

While the forni of embodiment of the present invention as herein disclosed, constitutes a preferred` form` it is to be understood that other forms might be adapted, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow. What is `claimed is as follows:

1. In a radio acoustical device,the combination comprising,'a diaphragm supporting member of frusto-conical form, said member having a plurality of radially extending arms to support a power plant, one of said arms being deformed to provide a ledge parallel with the base of said cone, said ledge being adapted to support atransformer. i

2. A frame for supporting the diaphragm of an acoustic device in proper relation to the driving mechanism of said device,compris ing, anv annular portion for supporting the edge of a circular diaphragm, a plurality of arms lying substantially in a frusto-conical shaped surface, said arms being attached to the frame of the driving mechanism so that the diaphragm is held in proper relation with said driving mechanism, and one of said arms providing a ledge to support a transformer in parallelism with the base of said frame.

3. A frame for supporting the diaphragm and driving mechanism of an acoustic device, comprising in combination, an annular portion for supporting the edge of the diaphragm, arms lying substantially in a frustoconically shaped surface, said arms being attached to the frame of said driving mechanism, and means provided by the arms for supporting a transformer substantially within the conical contour of said acoustical device.

4. A frame for supporting a diaphragm and driving mechanism of an acoustical device, comprising in combination, an annular portion for supporting the edge of a conical diaphragm, and arms extending obliquely and disposed outside of said cone for supporting said driving mechanism, said arms providing a platform parallel with the base of said frame for supporting a transformer closely adjacent the driving mechanism, and substantially Within the conical configuration of said device.

5. A frame for supporting a diaphragm and driving mechanism of an acoustic device, comprising in combination, a member blanked from sheet metal including a plurality of radially extending arms, one of which is of greater length than the others and provides lateral webs integral therewith, said arms being extruded to form a substantially frustoconical surface, and said one arm fashioned to provide a ledge in parallelism with the base of said member, and the free ends of each arm positioned for attachment to the motor of said driving mechanism, While said ledge and Web provide means for supporting a transformer.

In testimony whereof I hereto affix my signature.

JOHN D. SEABERT. 

